Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Do you ever feel like there’s never enough time in the day? You get the kids ready for school, take the dog out before she has an accident, work your 9-5 or 2-10 or 10-6, and try to figure out how to relax between extracurricular activities. You leave yourself with enough energy to sleep, wake up, and repeat. Life gets exhausting, and our responses to people’s inquiries and requests are “I’m busy.”

I get it. I spent years attempting to fit everything in according to society’s order of operations, and any free time was used to escape or avoid. Still, it never left me feeling rejuvenated or rested. That feeling seemed reserved for childhood, where a full schedule of little league, Boy Scouts, and school never drained me enough to prevent me from running free during the summer.

“I’m busy” is a mantra that keeps us from living as Jesus instructed.

Mark 6:7-8
⁷ And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. ⁸ He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money.

As Pastor Ben explained, our exhaustion may not stem from needing more rest but from needing more meaningful work that aligns with the purpose God has given us. We know how energizing it is to live out your purpose. Even if you have yet to experience it, you’ve probably felt the spark of being close to someone who has. God’s purpose is perfect, and if it ain’t broke, then don’t try to fix it. Instead, trust God with your time and productivity.

A professor at Winebrenner Theological Seminary told his students that repeatedly saying you’re busy is draining because it attaches a negative attribute to your life. B.U.S.Y stands for Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke. Constantly focusing on the fact that we are busy can rewire our thinking and ultimately our actions. Instead we need to intentionally create margin and rest.

In the past eight years, I’ve adapted my mindset regarding time and scheduling. By consciously combining my creative passion with my profession, I have margin to add more to my schedule and still feel replenished, rather than drained. My plate is fuller, but I have more time to eat and share with those who have less.

Questions:
How often do you feel unrested? Do you think your days are busy, or do you see yourself as having a full life?

Next Steps:
Take GrowthTrack to discover God’s purpose for you. Start implementing life-giving practices in your daily routine.

Prayer:
God, although I know you have given me a purpose, I tend to exhaust myself with things that aren’t life-giving. I pray for the patience and strength to live with more intention and to continuously see the blessings in your guidance. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ecclesiastes 9:17
“Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.”